The Most Common Causes of Insomnia

Insomniac Woman - Mattress Store in San DiegoWe have all been there, trying unsuccessfully to fall asleep, ending up wide awake and still tired in the morning. Insomnia can be acute, and fortunately, this is the most common type. However, for some people, insomnia is a chronic state and more often than not they do not get enough sleep.

There are several factors which may affect how much sleep you are getting. If you are experiencing insomnia, it may be due to a bad mattress. Mattress Makers is a fantastic mattress store in San Diego, which offers a wide range of comfortable and quality mattresses. Once you are sure you have the best mattress possible, we can start to list some of the most common insomnia causes.

Stress

Probably the biggest cause of insomnia in the developed world, stress is a contributing factor in a lot of different medical conditions as well. People mostly worry about work or financial issues, which leads to sleepless nights. If this trend persists, insomnia becomes chronic and starts affecting the overall quality of life.

Medical conditions

A variety of medical conditions can make sleeping at night uncomfortable or nearly impossible. Starting from quite common ones like the flu or allergies that keep us up through discomfort, to chronic pain and arthritis, illnesses can take a toll on our regular sleep. Some more serious illnesses such as Parkinson’s or cancer may also keep you awake through the night.

Furthermore, various medications can also be meddling with your regular sleep patterns. Many cold and allergy medications are often the cause of insomnia as well, but birth control, blood pressure and depression medication have all been linked with insomnia as well.

Depression and anxiety

Not only physical illnesses can cause insomnia. Conditions such as depression and anxiety are also prime candidates for insomnia. It is a vicious cycle where depression can trigger insomnia, and insomnia, in turn, worsen the depression. These two are actually very commonly linked, but both conditions are manageable.

Anxiety is strongly linked to stress and thus can lead to insomnia. Overthinking past or future events is the perfect trigger to over stimulate the brain and trigger insomnia. If this persists, another vicious circle begins, where the person fears not getting enough sleep before going to bed, which triggers anxiety, which leads to insomnia once again. This is often described as feeling “restless”.

Lifestyle

The choices you make during the day affect your sleep patterns. People who choose to work at home really late run the risk of over-stimulating their brains and not being able to relax in time for sleep. For some people, it can also be detrimental to take naps during the day. It causes a disruption in the circadian rhythm and triggers insomnia. Trying to catch up on sleep during the weekend is also considered a bad idea since it tends to confuse your circadian rhythm.

Food

Things you put in your body can affect the quality of your sleep. Some substances and food can lead to insomnia. The prime candidate for this is alcohol. Even though we assume it helps us sleep, it is actually a sedative, knocking us out initially, but causing sleep problems later during the night. This is why very drunk people pass out, but usually sleep quite poorly.

Caffeine is another substance that disrupts sleep. In fact, this is specifically what we use it for, to keep ourselves awake and alert. However, excess caffeine causes insomnia and can stay in your system for eight hours. Finally, big meals before bedtime are a bad idea if you are looking to get some good night sleep.

Making sure that you follow all these rules can be tedious and difficult but try to follow as many as you can, and you should be free of insomnia. One thing you can do quite easily is make sure you sleep on the best mattress possible. If you are looking for a mattress store in San Diego, visit Mattress Makers for the best deals and a wide range of products.

How Sleep Works in the Animal World

Cat Asleep on the Bed - Matress in San DiegoWe are constantly told that sleep is important for normal functioning of our organisms. And it is true; we need around 8 hours of (most commonly) nocturnal sleep when our bodies and minds can rest and reset for the next day. Finding the proper mattress to sleep on is probably one of the most important things we can do to ensure proper sleep. If you are looking for the perfect mattress in San Diego, consider visiting Mattress Makers.

So we have to sleep to function normally. Is this trait ubiquitous to all creatures, or is it just us? Do all animals sleep? And if they do, how do they do it and for how long?

Who sleeps?

The sleep as we know it is present is some form or another in all species of mammals and birds. It can also be found in some species of reptiles, amphibians and fish, although not all species of these classes of animals seem to need it. Sleep is even present in some species of insects as well.

Circadian rhythm

Even those animals who do not experience sleep as we know it, are governed by the circadian rhythm. This is a kind of an inner clock which tells the animal when the optimal time for activity is, and when to lay low. This inner clock is almost exclusively governed by the sun. So, nocturnal animals will lay low when they experience sunlight, and the diurnal ones will do the opposite. In fact, animal sleep is so similar to our own, that we can identify several sleep disorders that affect humans in various animals. The most commonly affected animals are pets, but other animals can also experience them. Disorders such as insomnia, night terrors and narcolepsy prove that sleep is a common trait developed by all vertebrates.

Interesting examples

Even though it is found quite commonly in vertebrates, sleep isn’t the same for every species. It was shaped by the evolution and the environment where the species live. They have to balance between the need to sleep and the dangers of not being on alert at all times. So the duration and the ways of sleeping are different from species to species.

Dolphins

Dolphins sleep with only half of their brain actually falling asleep, while the other half looks out for danger and performs all the necessary regular functions. After a few hours, the sides switch, so the other half can get its well-earned rest. Dolphins aren’t alone in this practice, creatures such as some bats, ducks and iguanas do it as well.

Giraffes

These tall giants are in a constant danger from predators. It is no wonder then that they sleep very little. Some estimates guess as little as 20 minutes per day, while a more realistic figure is around two hours. And who can blame them? Their sleeping position looks fairly uncomfortable.

Sea otters

You may have heard of this before, but sea otters sleep while holding hands. This may sound cute, but it actually serves an important purpose. They sleep on their backs in water. In order to keep themselves from drifting away from each other, they hold each other’s hands.

Sea birds

Large sea birds such as albatrosses tend to spend a lot of time in the air. On land, they are clumsy and awkward, and it takes them a long time to gain flight again. But once airborne, these birds transform into true aces, able to sustain flight for days and weeks on end. It is believed that they also sleep during that time while flying.

There are plenty of other unusual sleeping arrangements that animals make for themselves. Most people, though, prefer a nice bed with a good mattress. If you are on the lookout for a good mattress in San Diego, visit Mattress Makers, the best custom mattress makers in the county, or check out the offer online!

Parasites: the Unwelcome Guests in our beds

Dust mites - Mattresses in San DiegoThis topic is somewhat unsavory, since we are naturally repulsed by the idea of various insects and similar animals crawling in our beds, especially while we are sleeping in them. Luckily, all of these pest problems are easily solvable, and with a good mattress, you really have nothing to worry about.

And if you believe it is time to swap out your old mattress for a new one, try the best mattresses in San Diego, proudly presented by Mattress Makers. All types and sizes of mattresses can be found in our San Diego showroom.

Lice

The most common human parasite, the louse, \has been with the human race since its inception most likely. This parasite comes in three varieties, depending on the region of the body it attacks. We are most familiar with the head louse, which chooses our head hair as its dwelling, which provides ample place to hide and lay eggs. The second type is the pubic louse, which are also known as ‘crabs’. You can infer from its name that it chooses the pubic region as its domain. Finally, there is the body louse. This particular type doesn’t have a specific region it attacks, but rather lives in our clothes or beds, and attacks when we are asleep. All three types of lice have one thing in common- they feed on blood. And as if that weren’t bad enough, they are known to carry various diseases in their bodies, which can be transferred to their victims. Typhoid fever, trench fever and relapsing fever are among the most common illnesses carried by these nasty parasites. Luckily, there are very effective chemical treatments for exterminating lice nowadays.

Bedbugs

The epitome of bed parasites, bedbugs are extremely unpleasant. They cower from light in any cracks they can find, be it in the walls, floors, or even inside your mattress. These nocturnal parasites also feed on blood, and they locate their prey, i.e. you, by your body heat and the CO2 which you exhale. These horrible parasites have two proboscises (tubes). One of these injects you with an anti-coagulant and an anesthetic, so you can’t feel the sting, while the other one sucks the blood. The itching only begins a few days later, so by the time you realize you have an infestation, the bugs have fed on your blood for at least a couple of days. Getting rid of them is not as easy and straightforward as with lice, though.

House dust mites

To end on a slightly lighter note, dust mites are by far the least aggressive and dangerous creatures on this list. Even though they are not parasites, they are omnipresent in indoor environments, and can cause allergies and asthma. They feed on organic waste, such as our skin flakes and hair. They are drawn to older mattresses, as there is plenty of food and shelter for them there.

These parasites have plagued humans for generations. But with better hygiene and better mattresses, we can at least minimize the likelihood of an infestation. Getting rid of an old mattress is a good start towards a healthier environment. When shopping for mattresses in San Diego, your first and only stop should be Mattress Makers. Contact today to learn more about the right kind of mattress for you.

Custom Mattresses

Heart mattress - Mattress Store in San DiegoDo you have some special design in mind for your bed, but are afraid that you won’t be able to find a suitable mattress for it? Well, fear no more. There are specialized companies which design custom made mattresses to fit your needs. And if you have always wanted to do something a bit different with your bed, but simply don’t have an idea, here is a list of some atypical custom mattresses.

For all your custom mattress needs, Mattress Makers is the premier mattress store in San Diego. If you can dream it, we can build it.

Round mattresses

Whether you are really into having your own round bed, or you are furnishing a hotel room, this unique shape is not something you are likely to find on the free market. However, custom mattress makers can build one for you from scratch. And if you choose right, you won’t break bank more than is reasonable.

Heart-shaped mattresses

This romantic shape is ideal for newlyweds, or anyone who still feels like one. Additionally, various love-themed hotels would be a prime customer for this design. As the heart is a particularly tricky design, with all the curves and edges, only skilled mattress makers should be considered for building one.

Boat mattresses

Boats often do not have sleeping quarters which are comparable to regular land beds. This is why they often have different bed dimensions. What this means for a prospective boat owner is having a tailor made mattress to suit the pre-existing sleeping quarters. This can be a great thing, since you can build one from the ground up, or rather, the water up. You get to choose the materials and colors which are going to be used.

RV mattresses

What was said about boats is true for RVs as well. Likely even more so, since the sleeping section is likely to be even smaller. A custom made mattress is an ideal opportunity to be involved in the whole process of mattress making, and ensures that you get what you want for your RV. Be as comfortable in your mobile home as you would be in your stationary one.

Big mattresses

Have you ever wanted a really big bed? Not the king size one, even bigger than that? If you can build it, a mattress maker will make a matching mattress, if you pick the right company to make your dream come true, that is.

Small mattresses

Similarly to the exceptionally large mattresses, really small mattresses are hard to come by in regular mattress stores in San Diego. However, if you have your mind set on having one, who’s to say that you can’t have it. Custom mattress makers can create one especially for you, to your exact specifications. Whether you want it for a bassinet you built yourself, or for a pet bed, your dreams can become reality.

Themed beds

Nowadays, very few things are fixed and cannot be customized. From cars to PCs, we change everything to suit our needs and desires. So why not beds as well. Some intrepid people have already done things like this. Star Wars fans have designed mattresses in the shape of the Millennium Falcon; hardcore patriots can now sleep on a mattress shaped like the USA.

Mattress Makers is a company which can create custom mattresses to your liking, and for a reasonable price at that. What’s more, the materials which go into the mattress are of the finest quality and you get to pick the type of mattress you prefer. If this article has sparked your curiosity and creativity, contact Mattress Makers to learn more and get your custom mattress from the best mattress store in San Diego.

The 9 Most Common Mattress Shopping Mistakes… And How To Avoid Them

It’s no secret that mattress shopping in San Diego isn’t the most fun and easy thing to do. It also doesn’t help when you have mattress companies capitalizing on customers lack of knowledge when it comes to mattresses and mattress shopping.

This has led to many unhappy customers throughout the industry, and the mattress industry as a whole has gained a very bad reputation that has been compared to the used car industry, no offense if you’re reading this and in the used car business.  

We’re going to share with you the 9 most common mattress shopping mistakes and how to avoid them.

 1. Buying Solely Off Another Person’s Experience

We’re not saying to completely discredit other people’s opinion especially friends and family, but when it comes to mattress shopping you want to keep in mind that your body is completely different from other people. We are each unique and have different preferences when it comes to comfort and a mattress should fulfill our needs for our body. Some people have more sensitive shoulders and hips which may result to enjoying a softer mattress whereas other people may really like the firm surface. Your sleeping position which is a big factor when choosing a mattress may not be the same as your friend who recommended a particular mattress.

To avoid this mistake you want to stay away from specific mattress recommendations and focus on their experience with the particular company they worked with. Ask them about the customer service, did they charge for delivery, were the salespeople knowledgeable in the materials and mattresses or were they using sleazy sales tactics? These are good questions to ask when asking friends and family and reading review sites when mattress shopping so you know who you are working with.

 2. Buying a Mattress that is Too Firm

One of the biggest mistakes people make when purchasing a new mattress is believing the myth that firmer is better. We see it all the time that people convince themselves in getting a firm mattress because they think it’s better for them, when in reality they should have trusted what their body was telling them and go with one that felt better, even though it was a little softer.

Getting a mattress that is too firm can cause painful pressure points on the hips and shoulders causing you to toss and turn trying to get comfortable or even cutting off your circulation.

Another problem with buying a mattress that is too firm, is that it is not conforming to your curves properly. If a mattress does not contour to your body then the muscles around your spine will be forced to overcompensate for the lack of support thus you may end up with back pain.

 3. Suckered Into Outlandish Sales

We love getting good deals just as much as the next person but have you ever stopped and wondered how a mattress store can really sell a mattress for 50, 60, or even 70% off and still be in business? Not only that but it seems like these sales are going on every week. Well, here’s a little secret about the mattress industry. The average mattress retailer marks up their mattress prices 200%-500%! I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true. So a king mattress that may cost a big box retailer $900 typically sell for $3,500-$5,000! With prices that high they’re able to do 50% off sales and still have huge profits. Another reason prices tend to be spiked high is because certain brands have pricing requirements and each mattress is touching multiple hands to finally reach you. So there is a lot of expenses that are spend before it’s on the floor.

So here’s a tip when mattress shopping look for local manufacturers in your area. They don’t carry the big brands so they’re not locked into price requirements and also they’re usually more connected with their customers so they have their customer’s best interest in mind.

 4. Trying Too Many Mattresses

We know it can be tempting to flop down on every mattress to make sure you’re getting the right one, but trying every mattress is a recipe for confusion and “paralysis by analysis”. When trying out too many mattresses it’s so easy to get overwhelmed and confused and then everything else starts to feel the same, almost like wine tasting. Best solution is doing a comfort test first by trying out a firm, medium, then a soft, and picking the best feel in that category. Doing that will narrow down your choices in the showroom and make it a lot easier to select a mattress. We recommend narrowing it down to 2 or 3 mattresses and then taking at least 10 minutes on each one to get a better idea of the comfort that is best for you.

 5. Buying Solely On Price

We understand a mattress purchase is a large investment and figuring out how much you’re willing to spend on your mattress purchase is a good idea. However, you want to have realistic expectations when beginning the process. Just because you saw a $300 queen size set for sale at one store doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a quality mattress even if it did have a really cool cover and design, and if you do decide to buy mattress at that price don’t expect it to give you 10 years of comfortable sleep. Heck, we’ve seen $2,500 queen mattresses last only 2-3 years! So how do you avoid this mistake?

You want to pay attention to the quality of materials inside the mattress. To understand more about how to determine quality materials click here.

 6. Buying Based On Name Brand

Unfortunately in the mattress industry you don’t get what you pay for and purchasing a big name brand is the epitome of this being true. Here’s a little background on the mattress industry, about 60%-70% of the market is owned by two very large companies. We won’t name names here but we’ll call them the “big S” companies (with one T). These companies really drive the direction of the industry and over the years we have seen the quality of their products slowly decline. The mattresses may feel very comfortable and look very nice but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Also keep in mind with the brand name comes insane markups because of high overhead cost. So instead of focusing on brand, focus on craftsmanship and the material that make up the mattress.

 7. Buying Without Testing

Did you know we spend about a third of our lives in our beds? That is a lot of use our mattress gets. So something that is being used everyday and is very important to our health probably shouldn’t be purchased blindly. Wouldn’t you agree? A mattress is the most important piece of furniture in the home and time should be invested trying out different mattresses. You want to find the one that fits your needs and I’m sorry but there is no “one size fits all” mattress.

To avoid this mistake first understand what the 3 most important things a mattress should do explained here and then spend at least 10-15 minutes on the two you like the most and compare them. Spending 10-15 minutes testing a mattress gives you a good amount of time for your body to adjust to the surface. If you have time to lay longer then go for it. The longer the better.

 8. Buying SOLELY On Comfort Alone

Ok, that may sound blasphemous coming from a mattress store, but we said SOLELY on comfort. We know that comfort when it comes to mattresses is for most people the most important thing. However, buying a mattress ONLY because it’s comfortable after laying on it for a couple of minutes doesn’t mean you should buy it. The truth is it’s not all that difficult to make a mattress with very cheap materials and very low cost feel comfortable, but it doesn’t mean you should buy it. When it comes to mattresses you’re looking for something that is not only comfortable but also durable.

To avoid this mistake during your mattress shopping journey you want to test out several different mattresses and when you narrowed it down you want know what are the materials being used in the mattress. Quality materials is key here if you’re looking for a mattress that will give you lasting comfort.

 9. Buying Based on Coil Counts

One of the biggest traps we see shoppers fall into is falling for the coil count myth. Don’t get me wrong, coil counts can play a role in the quality of a mattress but that should not be a primary motivating factor when purchasing a mattress or determining mattress quality. There are way too many variables in comparing coil counts and coil technology and comparing mattresses based on coil counts can lead to a lot of confusion and misinformation.

Coil quality is affected not only by the amount of coils but also the type of coil, the thickness of the coil and the amount of wire in the coil. So it’s best to avoid the coil count conflict unless you are comparing apples to apples, and even then it’s best not to even go there.

 

So when you are out doing your mattress shopping, remember these mistakes and DON’T MAKE THEM! 🙂

 

For more mattress shopping tips download our FREE Mattress Shopping Guide.


 

The Sleep Cycle Explained

Sleep Cycle - San Diego Mattress

Have you ever had one of those nights when you slept for at least 8 or 9 hours, yet you woke up as tired as you went to bed? Or even more, so have you ever had a night when you only slept 4-6 hours and you woke up feeling recharged and energized? Not all sleep is equal. The quality of your sleep has a lot to do with your sleep cycle. For better sleep, read up on the sleep cycle, how to best manage your sleep and wake up fresh and rested every day.

The basics

First of all, sleep is not a time when our brains shut down and rest from the hard day’s work, as we once thought. Instead, it is a state of altered consciousness, where our typical waking brain patterns are replaced by different ones. The human sleep is controlled by something called the circadian clock, or the circadian rhythm.  It is also known as the inner clock. It tells us when it’s best to sleep. It may vary from person to person, but only slightly. Any bigger discrepancy form the norm is considered a sleeping disorder.

Sleep stages

Two distinctive stages of sleep are REM and non REM sleep. Periods of human sleep usually repeat every 90 minutes. There tend to be 5 cycles per night with non-REM preceding REM phase, and then changing between them until waking up. Non-REM sleep is divided into three separate stages, with each having distinctive physiology and function. So even if you have enough time to sleep, skipping some of these stages can result in feeling tired afterwards.

Non-REM

This part of sleep comprises about 80 percent of all sleep in humans. Some common identifiers of non-REM sleep are a decrease in heart rate, body temperature and energy consumption. Even the brainwaves become slower and bigger. There are 3 stages of non-REM which precede one phase of REM in the sleep cycle.

NREM 1 or light sleep is the first stage, somewhere between wakefulness and sleep. Muscles are still active and can twitch. This is when hypnic jerks occur.

NREM 2 is a deeper kind of sleep. The muscle activity decreases and the sleeper becomes completely unaware of the external world.

NREM 3 or deep sleep is also known as slow-wave sleep. In this phase, most of the external stimuli provoke no reaction from the sleeper. This is the most restful phase of sleep, as it relieves the subjective feeling of sleepiness the most.

REM

REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement and it is most commonly associated with dreaming. The name itself is derived from the quick, involuntary movement of eye muscles. This part of the sleep cycle is often associated with a type of paralysis of skeletal muscles. During this stage, the sleeper’s EEG waves are quite similar to those of a wakeful person, but they are harder to awake than those in any other sleep stage. In addition to that, the brain seems to consume more oxygen and energy than in a wakeful state.

The real purpose of REM is unknown, but the lack of it makes higher cognitive function difficult to perform. Very young children tend to have more REM, but from the age of five, it reduces to just 2 hours per day.

In order to have a healthy night’s sleep, you need to go through all these phases uninterrupted. There are many ways to help you with this, but the first step is a comfortable and supportive mattress. If you’re in San Diego looking for a mattress and you need to catch up on your REM sleep, stop by San Diego Mattress Makers today and get a free nap 🙂 Come by our store or give us a call today.

 

 

What Did People Use To Sleep On?

Renaissance bed - mattress stores San Diego

Renaissance bed - mattress stores San DiegoMattresses haven’t always been with us, at least not as we know them today. The concepts of health and comfort went through many transformations throughout the ages as we can see from the history of mattresses.

 

Ancient Egypt

Commoners used to sleep on piles of palm leaves stuffed in the corner, whereas pharaoh Tutankhamun had a bed of ebony and gold. It was in ancient Egypt, though, that people started lifting pallets off the floor.

Ancient Rome

Romans were well-known for their fondness of lavishness. The affluent often had beds made of gold, silver or bronze with mattresses stuffed with hay, feathers, wool or reed. Here’s a tidbit– they were onto water beds as early as then. What that looked like was: the sleeper would rest in warm water and when they got drowsy, they’d be lifted onto a cradle with a mattress. So, it’s more like some spa.

Middle Ages

It wasn’t uncommon for bedsteads, which weren’t particularly comfortable, to be propped up at a 45-degree angle, so that the sleeper could jump to fend off an attack, should it come to that.

Renaissance

Bedding was quite extravagant for the well-to-do ones and it included silk, brocade and velvet. Underneath the bedding, coarse-tick mattresses were stuffed with feathers, pea shucks or straw.

The 17th century

The legendary French king Louis XIV adored staying in bed and he was especially fond of luxurious and ostentatious bedsteads. He was even known to hold court in the royal bedroom.

The late 18th century

Cast iron and cotton mattresses came to use as they were less conducive to fostering insects and vermin. Yep, up until this point, bugs were accepted as part and parcel of a bed.

The 19th century

The first coil spring was patented in 1865.

The 20th century

In 1900 pocketed coil was patented by Mr. James Marshall. At the time, the invention was known as Marshall Coil.

Innerspring mattresses rose to popularity in the thirties, and in the forties futons were introduced to the US.

In the fifties, foam rubber mattresses emerged in the market.

In the sixties, the waterbed gained the shape we know today and two decades later, in the eighties, we saw the airbed for the first time.

The nineties saw a market victory for queen size mattresses and the two thousands are seeing an uptick in interest for latex mattresses, which are the best known so far because of their support and all-natural components.

Looking for a mattress?

5 Tips To Finding The Right Mattress

 

 

A Quick Mattress Size Guide

Mattress Size - Mattress Stores San Diego CA

Mattress Size - Mattress Stores San Diego CAA twin mattress is single, while couples who sleep on a full or double mattress each have a crib’s-width space to themselves! Mattress sizes may have been confusing, but here is a quick guide to put an end to the confusion.

Twin mattress

Twin mattresses are intended for a single sleeper and this is the next-level size after the crib size. They are 38 inches wide and generally 75 inches long. But, if that is too short for you and you need a couple of extra inches, you can go for a twin XL, which is a bit longer. Twin XL is often found in dorms.

Full/ Double mattress

A full mattress is approximately 53 inches wide and 75 long. That makes it only meager 15 inches wider than a twin mattress. Even though couples might think they could do fine with a full-size mattress, chances are high they will find it tight, as it gives them only 27 inches of personal space.

Many parents are choosing a full-size mattress for their growing children and teenagers as it’s more comfortable than a twin one. Even those with younger children sometimes choose this size so that they have room to lie when reading bedtime stories. Adult sleepers who like to sprawl would probably like a full-size mattress over a twin one, too.

Queen mattresses

Queen mattress size is around 60 by 80 inches. This is the most popular choice for couples, especially those who like sleeping at close quarters. This is also a good option for the guest bedroom. However, if you run the numbers you see that each person in the couple still has 8 inches less than if they were sleeping on a twin mattress, so this size may still feel cramped if one partner (or both) likes tossing and sprawling. There are a lot of shoppers who choose a queen size for a single person, because they like the comfort.

King mattress

King mattresses are some 76 inches wide and 80 inches long (the same like queen mattresses). That means they give couples those additional inches in width, giving them the space as if they were each sleeping on a twin mattress. This is the most space couples can get without ordering a custom-made mattress.

This size is best if both partners want maximum personal space and if they like to have space for a Sunday lie-in with children. If your pets have bed access, you might like to have this size, so everyone is cozy.

What you do need to consider, though, is that a mattress this big might overwhelm some bedrooms. Make sure you take the measuring tape before you decide you want this one. A king size mattress might make it difficult to get around the room. And think about the delivery beforehand – can the mattress be safely delivered to the bedroom?

A California king size is popular on the west coast. It is 72 by 84 inches, meaning 4 inches fewer in width, but extra 4 inches in length.

(Note: If you’re not sure where to start on your mattress shopping journey we created a simple 5 tip checklist to take with you on your journey. Just click the link below to get it for free.)

 

Buying a mattress in San Diego CA

If you are thinking of buying a new mattress, we applaud your decision. If you live in San Diego CA, have no doubt that Mattress Makers is one of the best mattress stores in San Diego CA. If you are feeling confused and disoriented, feel free to come to our showroom where we will patiently answer all your questions and concerns. Our process is from the factory to the customer, without mark-up or middlemen. Mattress Makers is a family-owned business built on passion, integrity and trust. Call us today and solve your mattress problems!

How Mattress Retailers Get Rich off Customers

Mattresses San Diego

Mattresses San DiegoEnsuring restorative sleep and proper support in a mattress costs quite a lot these days, especially in terms of nerves and time. Every year literally millions of shoppers get bogged down in an attempt to find the right mattress. What overwhelms them is that every mattress retail shop is a hive buzzing with unique models promising wonders without a whole lot of proof.

Buying a mattress can be such a daunting task because of the name game. Every chain seems to have their own names for models and it’s difficult to compare them because you can’t really open them up and have a look inside. Even if you could, you’d find foam, fiber and fill, maybe coils – but you still couldn’t compare the quality of those. Sounds like you need a battery of chemical tests done in every store to be able to make an informed decision.

On top of the name problem, there’s the price. Shoppers regularly report they could find a mattress in one place for around $1,200 and a pretty similar model (with a different name, of course) for less than $700 in another. How is that possible?

Markups for mattresses quite often amount to unbelievable 100 or 200 percent, which makes it possible for retailers to “cut prices” in order to seal the sale. Nothing in the furniture retail industry is as profitable as selling mattresses. Mattresses are the golden goose the industry wants to protect by confusion and gobbledygook. All the multi-word names are designed to obscure the real value of the product you’re considering buying, so that they can tag it with a hefty price.

They will often hike the price in the beginning and then slash it in half or more to cut great deals for customers. This way, they constantly win and make money scamming people who believe it’s their lucky day.

Want to make sure you don’t fall for one of these tricks? Download our free mattress shopping guide and become a mattress shopping expert.

It’s not just the mattresses now. It seems the whole retail industry has learned something from selling mattresses, so now big retail chains require manufacturers to make minimal changes to products and add recognizable accessories to make the item, such as TV or clothes, appear original and unique. And they can do this, because there are no regulations restricting those practices.

What can you do about this? The first tip is to shop around, but take nothing the retailers tell you for granted. Instead, take everything with a pinch of salt.

Next, look for certificates. If the salesperson is touting the medical benefits or unique manufacture features, ask them for proof. Certificates are the minimum justification for claiming wonders.

Check for reviews of the model, manufacturer and retailer online. You cannot depend on reviews for 100 percent accurate and true information, but you can get a feeling of how the manufacturer and/ or retailer do their business.

Explore ways of buying directly form the manufacturer. This isn’t a problem nowadays and most manufacturers have showrooms, so it’s almost the same like looking around a furniture shop (just without the exorbitant mark-up).

Finally, listen to your gut feeling. Feel free to ask anything that comes to your mind – you might want to make a list before going shopping for the perfect mattress. Pay attention to how the retailer/ manufacturer answers your questions. Are they irritated by your inquisitiveness or are they willing to answer all your questions in a straightforward manner? All of this, combined with the measures mentioned before, should make it somewhat easier to get your bearings in the maize of mattress hunting.

5 Tips To Finding The Right Mattress

Sleep Accessories to Enhance Your Sleeping Experience

Sleeping Accessories

Sleeping accessories - sleep maskDoesn’t sound like something you’d expect, does it? Sleeping accessories? No, it’s not about fashion or jewelry (in a way…). These are unbelievable items and gadgets that can improve your sleeping experience in different ways depending on your needs and preferences.

For the curious

Are you interested in finding out more about how you sleep every night and how your body behaves? These gadgets will collect information on what your sleep looks like on the outside. And the inside.

Modern sleep trackers are very conveniently put below or on top of your mattress and they gather information on how much you toss and turn around, what your body temperature, heart rate and breathing rate are, etc. Some trackers monitor the changes in your environment to possibly locate the source of eventual sleeping problems. They can also keep track of your sleeping cycles and maybe even wake you up when you’re sleeping light in the morning, so that you wake up easily.

Sleep trackers can double as ambient lights that cancel out blue light that prevents you from getting to sleep quicker. Ambient lights use warm shades to lull you into sweet slumber.

There are mobile applications available to do something similar to tracking, but without too advanced data. However, certain applications can help you remember your dreams. They will use escalating alarms to buzz you out of your dreams and then ask you a series of questions. Storing this data over time will show you patterns in your dreams and much more stuff.

For the light sleepers

If you’re one of those who twitches out of sleep because a car is parking outside your window or someone goes to the bathroom in the middle of the night, these accessories might be just for you.

There are special masks that are not there just to block out light. Masks are now out there that have very subtle electronics in them. They display customized light patterns that should encourage you to have lucid dreams. Hey, who wouldn’t like to feel they can control their dreams?

Some masks are still not in the market, but can be purchased through a pre-order. These are said to be able to improve the efficiency of your sleep. It’s intended for those who sleep restlessly or irregularly and those who travel a lot and struggle with jet lag.

For those who can’t live without music

If only life could be the way it’s in films, where music follows the characters every second of their life… If you cannot imagine a day without music, with these thingies you won’t be able to imagine a night either.

First there are special bud phones made of ultra thin elastic materials that feel like music is just playing in your head. You can enjoy favorite tunes or special sleeping sounds. Of course, nothing stops you from enjoying these inconspicuous music fellas in the daytime.

A pillow that plays you tunes, however, is not something that you can enjoy in the day. This special kind of pillow turns sound into something you can feel and stimulates the bones inside your ear to get you to relax. And all this without annoying your partner.

For the hot-blooded

Do you constantly have problems with feeling hot under the sheets, but you don’t like uncovering yourself? Here’s what might help you.

A bed fan that slides under your sheets to keep your temperature nice and cozy the whole time you’re getting your Zzs.

And if you think a bed fan is too much, why not consider specially designed PJs? Sleepwear made of fabrics that regulate body temperature won’t let you wake up sticky with sweat. The fabrics are very similar to those used for professional sportswear.

For everyone

No accessory can beat a top quality mattress. A mattress that supports your body, doesn’t give off fumes and suppresses allergens is your most powerful ally in getting the best beauty sleep possible.

Mattress Makers are a leading family business that has been producing mattresses for decades. We are driven by the desire to make top quality products affordable to you. Our products and customer satisfaction speak for themselves. In our offer you can find organic latex mattresses, hybrid latex, pocketed coil and innerspring mattresses. Contact us or visit our showroom to get a feel of what we offer and step closer to making a wise investment that will improve your quality of life.